Thursday, March 24, 2011

fiber.. whole grain... what does it mean

If you’re counting carbs be sure to include this step!! FIBER is important! So, if you are using an app or program to track your daily calories and nutrition, turn the fiber counter ON. If you’re nutrition app doesn’t take fiber into account, it is time to find a new one. Without this calculation you are not getting a clear picture of your daily intake.

A food that is “whole grain” will have these ingredients:

brown rice

bulgar

graham flour

oatmeal

whole-grain corn

whole oats

whole rye

whole wheat

wild rice

quinoa

spelt Interestingly, THESE words don’t indicate whole grain foods:

multi-grain

stone ground

100% wheat

cracked wheat

seven grain

bran

In fact, these words tend to indicate products that are NOT whole grain. I know I am guilt of buying several products labeled this way expecting a whole grain product. I was wrong! We have to check the ingredients, folks.

Now that we know WHAT a whole grain food is, let’s talk about WHY these foods are important. So according to http://www.wheatfoods.org/, whole grain foods contain a lot of nutrients including some antioxidants not available in other foods, and some more than even fruits and vegetables. Whole grain consumption has also been linked to

reduce[d] the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. New studies published in 2005 and 2006 show that whole grains may lower triglycerides, improve insulin control, help in weight management, and slow the build-up of arterial plaque.